SANDY Balls (no sniggering!) is a holiday park set in the National Park of the New Forest, Hampshire.

Under an hour and a half’s drive away, it’s the perfect getaway spot for any family break. Dogs are also welcome which was an added bonus for us, as Zulu (our dog) is definitely part of the family. So, cases packed, we loaded up (not without hitches) and off we went.

Surrounded by trees and overlooking the river Avon, a stay at Sandy Balls offers ample opportunity for exploring the local countryside. Whatever your age and ability, from a gentle stroll down a forest track or a gruelling mountainbike ride, Sandy Balls can accommodate it all.

There’s horse riding, sailing, or even a round of golf with everything available to hire. There are also woodland walks and bug hunts. The organised activities are endlessly varied, although age restrictions can apply.

On our first morning we got up early and hired a couple of bikes from the very helpful and knowledgable staff from the cycle centre on site. They also gave us a map and directions for a 10-mile cycle ride through beautiful moorland and into the forest.

A trailer was fitted to one of the bikes for our 18-month-old, our dog ready by our side, and off we went, stopping only to watch the New Forest ponies freely roaming and grazing in their natural habitat. Oh, and at The Royal Oak in Fritham for a pint and a bowl of soup for us and water for the dog. Well, we all needed some refreshment.

Back in our log cabin – a two-bedroom pine lodge on the edge of the site with views of forest and river – we caught our breaths and got ready for an afternoon of swimming, saunas and jacuzzis.

The leisure centre is home to indoor and outdoor swimming pools (seasonal) which are free to use by holidaymakers staying at the park. So we really wanted to make use of that! There is also a state of the art gym for those keen to get their bodies in shape. And a hair and beauty suite for those lucky enough to escape the children for an hour or two! We, however, just managed to take it in turns for the sauna.

After our energetic, action-packed first day, a good meal was next on our list, and the on-site family restaurant Pizza in the Piazza was our destination.

For mains Phil had steak, I had a penne pasta with pine nuts and Iliad (our son) had a very generous portion of spaghetti Bolognese, of which he needed no help in clearing! The food was lovely and the staff couldn’t be more helpful.

After checking on Zulu we headed off to the club for the children’s disco and family quiz. It was full of families letting their hair down. We didn’t stay too late as we had a tired toddler in tow (although he wasn’t complaining as he kept dragging me onto the dancefloor!). Happy and full, we headed home for the night.

Home was our log cabin, which was warm, comfortable and clean, stacked with crockery, cutlery, towels and bathrobes and even a large digital tv. There was a verandah – much to our little one’s delight, he had much fun running up and down it and we enjoyed a nice sunset from it one evening.

From arriving on the Friday afternoon it all felt so welcoming – the stress of actually getting off on holidays immediately disappeared as soon as we entered our lodge. It was relaxing, away from our usual routines. Being able to stay up late and hang out as a family, actually having the facilities on hand and time to spend together having fun was very much part of our experience.

Next day after a leisurely home-cooked breakfast, a packed lunch was made and we headed off to Bournemouth beach. Although a little breezy it didn’t deter us from having a paddle and a picnic by the sea. A walk on the pier, a ride on the fair and fish and chips for the 20-minute journey back to Sandy Balls completed our seaside trip.

Late afternoon, we were booked to join a biscuit and basket making session (one of the many activities available), but Iliad decided a nice long nap was more his thing today.

After waking we headed out to the children’s soft play area, had our tea in the Woodside Inn (the on-site pub), where the fare was traditional pub grub, reasonably priced and decently portioned. Our last evening was spent partly in the club for the children’s disco and entertainment, and finished off with a glass of wine on our veranda whilst Phil played guitar and the sun turned the river red.

Check out was midday, but we could still use the facilities until late afternoon, so after a long walkies down to the Avon, we went for another swim and sauna before setting off on our short journey home to Wiltshire.

There was so much for everyone to enjoy, we talked about going back even before we had left the premises. With promises of when the children are a little older they can join in activities on their own giving us parents a bit of time to do our own thing.

But for now, we will enjoy spending our time together.

Organised Activities

... are at set times and may change from season to season, but they include archery, horse riding, treasure hunts, ceramic painting, biscuits and baskets, pirate mania (in the swimming pool), rounders, combat games (using laser guns), woodland walks, mask making, fabric painting, mudrats (mountainbiking), clay play, parachute games, wood whittling. Prices vary, although some are free of charge, and age restrictions and abilities may apply, with adults accompaniment required for certain activities.

TRAVEL FACTS

Lodges, static caravans, ready tents, tourers and camping are all options. Prices for a lodge for a weekend in June start at around £440.

For prices and availability see www.sandyballs.co.uk or tel 08446932949 Or you can email post@sandyballs.co.uk